Talib Shaghati

Talib Shaghati Mishari Kinani (طالب شغاتي) is an Iraqi general who served as the first head of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service during 2007-2020. Shaghati is known for leading the ICTS in critical battles in the 2013-2017 War in Iraq. He held a number of senior positions in the Iraqi Armed Forces. He received the French Legion of Honour in 2017.

He graduated from the Military Academy (course No.49) in 1970, after that he graduated from the College Leadership Course (No.7) and from the Staff College Course (No.50). After graduating from the military academy he served in the field artillery branch. In 1971, he participated in a missile fundamentals course in the Soviet Union. He subsequently served in air defence units. He also participated in the course of the commanders of air defence firing brigades in the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1983 and completed all courses of the fundamental specialist category.

He worked in a series of air defence positions until he was promoted to the position of brigade commander, then the dean of the Air Defence Institute and finally the dean of the Air Defence College. He received the rank of Air Defence Major General in 2001.

He participated in the Iran–Iraq War.

After 2003
After 2003 he served in the "National Security Council" as a military advisor. In 2005, my order was issued by appointing a military adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister. In 2007, he was appointed head of the anti-terrorism agency. The anti-terrorism apparatus was formed in 2007 and is linked to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. In 2014 he was assigned the task of Joint Operations Commander in addition to the task of head of the anti-terrorist apparatus.

War against terrorism
As the overall commander of ISOF, Shaghati led the counter-terrorism force and played a key role in retaking cities back that were previously controlled by Islamic state during the War in Iraq 2013-2017.

Battles/wars in which he participated

 * Yom Kippur War
 * Iran–Iraq War
 * Gulf War
 * Operation Ashura
 * Siege of Amirli
 * Battle of Baiji (2014–15)
 * Second Battle of Tikrit
 * Battle of Ramadi (2015–16)
 * Battle of Fallujah (2016)
 * Battle of Mosul (2016–2017)

Accolades
In 2017 Shaghati received the French Legion of Honour for his role in defeating ISIS.